NBB Statement on EPA RFS Announcement

Nov 21, 2014

The National Biodiesel Board released the following statement from Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel following the EPA’s announcement Friday that delays in finalizing the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes would continue into next year.

The National Biodiesel Board released the following statement from Vice President of Federal Affairs Anne Steckel following the EPA’s announcement Friday that delays in finalizing the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes would continue into next year.

"This Administration says over and over that it supports biodiesel, yet its actions with these repeated delays are undermining the industry. Biodiesel producers have laid off workers and idled production. Some have shut down altogether. We know that fuels policy is complex, but there is absolutely no reason that the biodiesel volume hasn't been announced. We are urging the Administration to finalize a 2014 rule as quickly as possible that puts this industry back on track for growth and puts our country back on track for ending our dangerous dependence on oil. We also urge them to move quickly on 2015 so that we don’t repeat this flawed process again next year."

Biodiesel – made from a diverse mix of feedstocks including recycled cooking oil, plant oils and animal fats – has been the most successful EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel under the RFS, making up the vast majority of Advanced Biofuel production to date.

In 2013, the U.S. biodiesel market reached a record of nearly 1.8 billion gallons. However, the EPA initially proposed last year to hold the RFS biodiesel volume at 1.28 billion gallons. The proposal and continued uncertainty throughout the year without a final rule has left many producers struggling to survive.

With more than 200 registered biodiesel refineries nationwide, the biodiesel industry has plants in nearly every state in the country. The industry supports more than 62,000 jobs, and according to the EPA, biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent to 86 percent.